Early in their career, the Goo Goo Dolls were frequently dismissed by critics as mere imitators of The Replacements; however, the band refined its sound to be more mainstream, which helped it become one of the most popular adult alternative rock bands of the latter half of the '90s, selling millions of records to audiences largely unfamiliar with their inspirations. That's no bitch on the band, either -- their music simply improved in craft and accessibility as the years progressed, and radio happened to be receptive to what a decade earlier would have been considered collegiate power pop. Thus, the band landed two huge hits with the acoustic ballads "Name" and "Iris."
Originally a cover band with a taste for power pop and classic rock & roll, the group soon began writing its own songs. Their early sound recalled the The Replacements' origins as a bratty punk band (circa Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash) -- melodic, snotty, and a little bit thrashy. That sound was the reason the band attracted the interest of the heavy metal label Metal Blade, which issued their debut album in 1987 (known either as The Goo Goo girls or First Release). 1989's Jed continued in a similar vein; the college radio breakthrough came with 1990's Hold Me Up, a Replacements-ish power pop record.
1993's Superstar Car Wash was the Goo Goo Dolls' artistic breakthrough; though it did nothing to quell the Replacements comparisons, it was a finely crafted pop/rock record, and its lead single, "We Are the Normal," was co-written with Replacements leader Paul Westerberg himself. Still, Superstar Car Wash wasn't the commercial force the band hoped it would be, especially in light of the success of similar bands like the Gin Blossoms. That all changed with 1995's A Boy Named Goo, when an L.A. rock station put the acoustic-driven ballad "Name" into heavy rotation. It was eventually released as a single nationwide, and went Top Five late in the year; platinum sales for the album followed close behind. Unfortunately, the original drummer was no longer around to enjoy the band's success; prior to the album's release, he'd been sacked and replaced by drummer Mike Malinin.
Dissatisfied with the royalty rates in their Metal Blade contract, the band waged a legal battle that wound up allowing them to jump to parent company Warner Brothers. Somewhat drained, Rzeznik and the band shook off a case of writer's block to contribute the ballad "Iris" to the soundtrack of the 1998 americanized version of City of Angels (Featuring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan). Appearing that April, the song was a monster smash, although it was never released as a single (so its official Top Ten pop chart status doesn't convey how popular it was); for a better indicator, "Iris" spent nearly a year on Billboard's airplay charts, including an astonishing 18 weeks at number one, and was nominated for three Grammys. The band's next album, Dizzy Up the Girl, was released in September, during the middle of "Iris"'s marathon airplay run, and sold over three million copies. Its clean, polished sound completed the Goo Goo Dolls' transformation into mainstream pop/rockers who happened to have alternative roots. Further hits from the record followed over the next year, including "Slide," "Dizzy," and the Grammy-nominated "Black Balloon," and the band toured heavily in support. The Goo Goo Dolls revamped their sound for 2001's career retrospective, Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce. A year later, the trio hit the charts with "Here Is Gone" from their seventh studio album, Gutterflower. The CD/DVD combo Live in Buffalo: July 4, 2004 helped fans endure the long wait for the band's next studio album, Let Love In, which didn't appear until 2006. The band toured through the summer of 2007. The band released the first of two greatest hits compilation, entitled Greatest Hits Volume One: The Singles, November 13th 2007.
In February 2008, the band officially headed into studio to work on their new record.
In August 2010, the band released their ninth album, Something for the Rest of Us. In June 2013, the band's tenth studio album, Magnetic, was released. In December 2013, drummer Mike Malinin announced that he left the band.
In May 2016, the band released their eleventh studio album, Boxes. The Goo Goo Dolls' 12th studio album, Miracle Pill, was released on September 13, 2019.
Singles:
There You Are (Hold Me Up)
Just the Way You Are (Hold Me Up)
I'm Awake Now (Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare Soundtrack)
We Are the Normal (Superstar Car Wash)
Fallin' Down (Superstar Car Wash)
Only One (A Boy Named Goo)
Flat Top (A Boy Named Goo)
Name (A Boy Named Goo)
Long Way Down (A Boy Named Goo)
Naked (A Boy Named Goo)
Lazy Eye (Batman & Robin Soundtrack)
Iris (City of Angels Soundtrack/Dizzy Up the Girl)
Slide (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Black Balloon (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Dizzy (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Broadway (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Here Is Gone (Gutterflower)
Big Machine (Gutterflower)
Sympathy (Gutterflower)
Give A Little Bit (Live in Buffalo: July 4, 2004/Let Love In)
Better Days (Target's Sounds of the Season/Let Love In)
Stay With You (Let Love In)
Let Love In (Let Love In)
Before It's Too Late (Sam & Mikaela's Theme) (Transformers Soundtrack)
Home (Something for the Rest of Us)
Real (AT&T Team USA Soundtrack)
Not Broken (Something For The Rest Of Us)
What a Scene
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does it feel
When you drop down everything's all the same
Saccharine caffeine nicotine gum
Yeah it tastes sweet but it's not for long
And I just think you thought it would be
When you're looking for truth on the cover of a magazie
How does it feel
They give you your image and the things you believe
Open your eyes tell me what did you see
And I just think you thought it surreal
How does it feel when you're out on your own
And now it's too late to come home
And it's hard to be free when you're down on your knees
Take it easy till you make it alone
Now you're a supermarket punk rock television comedy
Out on the scene
Yeah I bit down now there's no hand to feed
And all the beautiful images lining your wall
Pop radio screaming down the halls
Now you think you found something real
When it's all about money and the things that you need
Live a big lie and they all believe
Now I just find that somehow obscene
How does it feel when you're out on your own
And now it's too late to come home
And it's hard to be free when you're down on your knees
Take it easy till you make it alone
Take it easy till you make it alone
What a scene
Yeah
When it's been said before
And all been done
Take it easy till you make it alone
Take it easy till you make it alone
In the Goo Goo Dolls' song "What a Scene," the lyrics explore the idea of feeling lost and disillusioned in a world that seems to prioritize superficiality and materialism. The opening lines set the tone, asking the listener how it feels to be "all wrong in the back of your mind again" and to drop down only to realize that everything is the same. The next lines reference saccharine substances like caffeine and nicotine gum that may provide a temporary high, but ultimately leave one unsatisfied. The chorus then asks how it feels to realize that the image and beliefs sold to you by magazines and pop culture are not what you want to be, and questions what you truly see when you open your eyes. The second verse continues to explore this theme, suggesting that even rebellion against mainstream culture can become commodified and fake ("supermarket punk rock television comedy").
The refrain of "take it easy till you make it alone" suggests that the path to true freedom and authenticity is a difficult one, but ultimately the most rewarding. The final lines of the song give a sense of exhaustion with the state of things, acknowledging that it seems like everything has been said and done before.
Overall, the lyrics of "What a Scene" criticize the shallow values of consumerism and the media, urging the listener to seek out their own truth and path. The song can be seen as a call to individuality, and a rejection of conformity and the need to fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're all wrong in the back of your mind again
You're feeling uncertain and conflicted with your thoughts.
How does it feel
Asks the listener to imagine themselves in the situation being described.
When you drop down everything's all the same
You feel like everything is repetitive and monotonous.
Saccharine caffeine nicotine gum
Refers to instant gratification and temporary pleasure that is not fulfilling.
Yeah it tastes sweet but it's not for long
The pleasure is only temporary and not worth the consequences.
And I just think you thought it would be
You had false expectations and were disappointed with the outcome.
When you're looking for truth on the cover of a magazine
You are searching for answers in all the wrong places, such as media and material things.
How does it feel
Asks the listener to imagine themselves in the situation being described.
When you find out what you're not gonna be
You realize you have been misled and have to reevaluate your goals and expectations.
They give you your image and the things you believe
You are influenced by societal expectations and norms that shape your identity.
Open your eyes tell me what did you see
Encourages you to critically examine the world around you rather than blindly accepting what is portrayed.
And I just think you thought it surreal
You had unrealistic expectations and were disappointed with the outcome.
How does it feel when you're out on your own
Asks the listener to imagine the feeling of independence and self-sufficiency.
And now it's too late to come home
You cannot return to the comfort of familiar surroundings.
And it's hard to be free when you're down on your knees
It is difficult to feel liberated or empowered when you are struggling and vulnerable.
Take it easy till you make it alone
Be patient and take things one step at a time until you can stand on your own.
Now you're a supermarket punk rock television comedy
You have conformed to societal norms and lost your individuality in the process.
Out on the scene
You are visible and present in society.
Yeah I bit down now there's no hand to feed
You made a mistake and must face the consequences of your actions alone.
And all the beautiful images lining your wall
Your surroundings may look ideal and perfect, but it is just an illusion.
Pop radio screaming down the halls
Mass media influences culture and values.
Now you think you found something real
You believe you have found what you are looking for.
When it's all about money and the things that you need
The reality is that everything is based on money and material possessions.
Live a big lie and they all believe
You may not believe in what you are saying or doing, but others are easily fooled by it.
Now I just find that somehow obscene
It is disheartening to realize that other people may live in ignorance and false beliefs.
When it's been said before
The message is not original and has been expressed many times before.
And all been done
The actions are not unique and have been done before.
Take it easy till you make it alone
Be patient and take things one step at a time until you can stand on your own.
Take it easy till you make it alone
Be patient and take things one step at a time until you can stand on your own.
What a scene
What a situation or environment to be in.
Yeah
Expression of agreement or emphasis.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN T RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind